22/09/2025
New brain pathway found that links pain to emotional distress in chronic conditions.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have uncovered a brain circuit that transforms physical pain into emotional suffering, shedding light on why conditions like fibromyalgia, migraines, and PTSD cause intense, lasting pain without obvious injury.
This circuit connects neurons in the thalamus—a brain region processing sensory signals—with the amygdala, which controls emotions such as fear and anxiety. When active, it amplifies mild pain into overwhelming emotional distress; when deactivated, physical pain remains but the emotional suffering fades.
The circuit uses a molecule called CGRP, already targeted by migraine treatments, suggesting new paths for non-addictive therapies that could ease chronic pain by calming the emotional response rather than just blocking pain signals. This discovery offers fresh hope for patients struggling with pain that deeply affects both body and mind.
RESEARCH PAPER 📄
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2505889122
